10 Nov WESAR

Title: Wearable based Search And Rescue system 

Acronym: WeSar 

Website: https://wesar-project.upatras.gr/ 

Total Budget: 796.480,00 € 

Public Funding: 671.614,00 € 

The Project 

The aim of the project is the design and development of a search and rescue (SAR) system, for the location and provision of aid to people who are missing or in imminent danger, especially those belonging to population groups with a particularly high probability of getting lost. The central part of the system is a modular “wearable (portable)” device, while the algorithms for locating the person(s) carrying the device and indicating her/his/their vital signs/condition will play an important role in its effectiveness. The basic feature of the wearable device system named WeSAR (Wearable Based Search and Rescue system) is its basic communication capability with base stations located even at several kilometers away from the device (using protocols for low-power and long-range communication, notably LoRa and NB-IoT). In addition, the basic parameters of communication, such as the rate and power of data transmission, will be tailored to the specific conditions of the application, so that the battery life of the device functions properly for several days and even weeks. The system will be used in situations where people are at risk, due to moving away from a controlled area. These case can be due to impaired mental state or inability to react are in jeopardy, while they are away from their familiar environment. Indicatively: 

• People in the autism spectrum disorders for whom,it has been reported that, at a percentage of 49%, they have disappeared or have been at risk due to a tendency to flee, at least once since the age of 4.
• People suffering from some form of dementia who statistically have at least 60% chance of being lost outdoors.
• Toddlers and children wandering in large open-air entertainment places, risking falling victims to malicious actions inable to self-defend.

The construction, marketing and use of this system is expected to affect favorably many different factors. The enterprises involved will benefit from the economic exploitation of the innovative product proposed. Specifically, the increase of their turnover, due to incorporating the system into their product range, is expected to have a positive impact of 20%. In addition, it is anticipated that engineers and salespeople will have be hired, both for the development of the system itself and for its promotion and marketing, resulting increased human resources of the enterprises by 10-15% over the next 3 years. At the same time, this leads to the development of high-level and internationally competitive know-how. 

The development of the algorithms will be done using simulation to detect underperformance and optimize the results. The implementation of the prototype will be based on the combination of modules on a dedicated IoT development board. Software development will be done through a continuous integration methodology to test the developing system at an early stage. 

Work is organized into Work Packages (WPs) that follow the well used and tested “waterfall” model for analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration and demonstration. In addition, there are WPs for participation in trade fairs, protection of intectual property, and defining a strategy for exploiting the results. The partnership consists of a balanced combination of four entities (two SMEs and 2 research centers). SMEs have pertinent experience in IoT devices, both in hardware design and implementation (ECONAIS), and in the implementation of support software and management platforms (YODIWO). The research bodies have pertinent experience in networks (both), energy management on mobile and ad hoc wireless networks (TDSL – ΕΚΣΤ), sensor networks, routing, and location detection algorithms (CTI – ΙΤΥΕ). Therefore, involved parties have complementary roles and can effectively collaborate and contribute to a successful outcome of the project. All organizations of the partnership are located in the same area (University Campus and Magoula) within a 1.5 km radius. The cooperation between them will be very close and regular, since communication and contact between them can be immediate and direct.